News Briefs

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Steak n Shake will offer PopID Check In and PopPay on its self-ordering kiosks in select locations in the Orlando market, with plans to expand to more than 300 corporate locations. PopID Check In is an opt-in service that enables consumers to scan their face to automatically sign into their loyalty reward account and see their past orders, making the ordering process as convenient as possible. When a guest checks in with PopID, they also have the option to use PopPay to automatically complete their payment.

• 57% of respondents say enabling new payment options is a  top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

“Our partnership with PopID is a key part of our effort to provide guests with a fast and seamless ordering experience," said Keith Correia, Chief Information Officer. "When using PopID Check In, a guest does not need to use their phone or take out their wallet as part of the ordering process. They will automatically be checked in for loyalty rewards, and they can choose to make an automated payment with PopPay. A guest can even see their past orders and quickly reorder their favorite menu items. Ordering at Steak n Shake has never been easier or more convenient.”

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and improving order throughput, PopPay helps to reduce fraud and offers lower payment processing fees.

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips professional displays and solutions, is excited to announce the latest phase of its local-for-local manufacturing approach, with an expansion from 30,000 displays in 2023 to 100,000 pieces to be produced in its Mexico facility in 2024.

The factory, in Tijuana, was established to support the launch of PPDS’ highly acclaimed range of advanced, Chromecast built-in™ Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs in Mexico.

Fuelled by sustained interest and requests from industry partners and hoteliers, the extension of PPDS’ hospitality business is part of a continued strategy to provide the sustainable accessibility of its full suite of total solutions to partners and customers around the world. These include digital signage, dvLED, interactive displays, professional TVs, and dedicated software solutions, supporting all key market verticals.

Available through PPDS’ system integration partners in Mexico, Philips MediaSuite is hailed as the most complete hotel TV on the market, created for cutting-edge hotel room experiences, and designed to evolve with the needs and requirements of guests into the future.

The industry’s brand of choice

Since debuting in Europe in 2019, and in North America in 2021, Philips MediaSuite has quickly become the brand of choice for some of the world’s leading hotel groups, with projects and partnerships with Accor, Wyndham Hotel Group, Louvre Hotels, and most recently, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), all of which are prominent key players in Latin America.

The availability of Philips MediaSuite TVs in Mexico – a $7.55bn¹ market accounting for more than 22,560 properties and approximately 808,000 rooms² – brings incredible new and potentially lucrative opportunities for hoteliers looking to enhance and advance the guest room experience, while creating significant cost savings, thanks to its remote capabilities.

Carlos Miranda, General Manager Latin America North at PPDS, explained “Mexico is one of the world’s leading holiday destinations, with close to 40 million³   international tourists forecast to arrive in 2023, rising to almost 55 million by 2027⁴. Competition is increasing and it is essential hoteliers provide their guests with the very best, personalised experience, the results of which will encourage repeat business and generate positive reviews.”

Jeroen Verhaeghe, Global Business Development Director Hospitality at PPDS, continued: “Today, more than ever, the TV plays a crucial role in achieving a positive experience in hotels. No two guests are the same, and that’s why we created Philips MediaSuite to offer the guest’s choice of TV experience, via our commitment to providing Chromecast built-in, Netflix securely and professionally embedded onto the TV itself, and our Android SoC delivering access to the Google Play store, and more. We’re delighted to have extended this availability for Mexico.”

Stream big with Chromecast

Running on PPDS’ exclusive Android SoC, and available in 43”-75” size variants, Philips MediaSuite TVs combine best-in-class 4K picture quality, with extensive and unrivalled levels of entertainment choice, customisation and back-end control, for the ultimate personalised home-from-home experience.

Setting itself apart from its competitors, Philips MediaSuite also includes a number of unique features, including Chromecast built-in™ technology. Creating a secure, ‘all in one’ solution – removing the need for additional and costly subscription accounts, set-top boxes and unsightly wires – Chromecast built-in™ provides guests with the freedom to wirelessly and effortlessly cast their streaming content from their favourite apps, straight onto the big screen, from their own smart devices, whatever their mobile operating system.

A recent hospitality study showed 70 percent⁵ of guests surveyed rated Smart TVs/Content Streaming inside the guest room as a high factor in selecting a property, while forecasts in February revealed for the first time, US adults will spend more time watching digital video (3hrs 11m) compared to traditional linear TV (hrs 55m) TV⁶.  

Part of a long-term commitment to featuring Chromecast built-in, extensive security protocols have also been integrated, with all guest data automatically deleted upon a guest successfully checking out of their room. This, combined with hoteliers being able to manage guest room TVs entirely remotely (including troubleshooting, updates, marketing and messaging) and eliminated risk of theft, brings significant advantages.

Users have secure access to thousands of popular apps on Google Play, including popular services such as local news, sports, and games, as well as content streaming from providers such as Disney+, HBO, Hulu, HBO, Paramount, Spotify™, and many more. 

Mikael Da Fonseca, Global Director IKAM – Hospitality at PPDS, added: “The way we access and consume digital content has changed dramatically in recent years and it is vital hoteliers adapt to ensure the experiences they are used to at home can be achieved effortlessly in their hotel room. At PPDS we understand that importance, and with Philips MediaSuite we provide all the tools to let guests take control of their own experience, watching what they want, when they want, and how they want.”

Franck Racape, VP Global Commercial at PPDS, concluded: “With our expanding commitment to manufacturing in Mexico, coupled with forecasts for significant growth in tourism here, PPDS is in a prime position to support the needs of the market today and into the future.”

 

NOTES:

1. $7.5 billion hotel value: https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/travel-tourism/hotels/mexico
2. Properties and room numbers in Mexico: https://www.nexusglobalventures.com/industry-hospitality
3. 40 million visitors in 2023: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/mexico-expects-to-receive-up-to-40-million-tourists-in-2023/
4. 55 million forecast by 2027: https://www.strategymagazines.com/mexico-from-plazas-to-playas-tourists-find-a-warm-welcome-in-mexico/
5. Streaming and choosing your hotel: https://hospitalitytech.com/customer-engagement-study-2022?from=gate
6. Survey on streaming usage (US): https://www.insiderintelligence.com/press-releases/digital-video-time-to-surpass-tv-time-in-2023/

Canary Technologies , a Guest Management System, has been selected by Drury Hotels Company, LLC to implement Canary’s Digital Authorization technology for Drury’s more than 150 hotels in 26 states. 

As the hospitality industry prepares to adopt the new PCI v4.0 payment standards, Drury will use Canary’s Digital Authorization solution to upgrade compliance and security to keep customer data safe and protect their properties from credit card fraud. Canary Digital Authorizations is a PCI Level-1 compliant solution that replaces paper and PDF credit card authorization forms to help hotels reduce chargebacks and fraud. In addition, the solution helps make the guest experience more seamless and reduces the workload on hotel staff. 

Canary is the #1 rated Digital Authorization solution — as rated by hoteliers on HotelTechReport. Canary has also recently been named as the only hotel technology company to the 2023 Fast Company Most Innovative Companies Award and received the TravelTech Breakthrough Award. 

“We are committed to protecting our guests’ data and improving hotel operations,” said Ryan Schlimpert, Senior VP and Chief Information Officer at Drury Hotels. “We’re pleased to partner with Canary to provide Digital Authorizations to our guests and team members as we continue to provide an excellent experience and service. We find great value in partnering with Canary to help our hotels work more efficiently.”

“We are proud to partner with Drury Hotels to bring their guests and team a secure and modern method of collecting credit card information,” said DJ Singh, VP of Sales at Canary. “As hoteliers struggle with chargebacks from credit card fraud, Canary is constantly elevating its products to ensure that all our clients can protect sensitive guest information.”

ArtPlayer has chosen LG SuperSign Cloud for collaboration due to LG’s significant market presence and a global reach, providing LG SuperSign Cloud solutions to customers around the world deployed in various industries and sectors, including retail, hospitality, transportation, healthcare, education, and corporate environments where the benefits of art can be advantageously displayed.

“We are delighted to partner with LG by seamlessly integrating ArtPlayer directly into the LG SuperSign Cloud’s user interface, thereby expanding the reach of our art service to LG customers worldwide,” said Morten Kryger, managing director of ArtPlayer. ”They can display rotating artworks, easily change display options, and optional mix the art with other content in their playlists.”

ArtPlayer can be used for digital signage purposes within hospitality establishments. Digital screens displaying artworks can serve as eye-catching signage to guide guests, promote facilities, or provide information about events and services.

Additionally, ArtPlayer can contribute to a therapeutic environment in healthcare facilities. The presence of visually captivating and calming artworks has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and discomfort for patients, creating a more calming and supportive atmosphere.

ArtPlayer is not only beneficial for patients but also for healthcare staff and visitors. The presence of engaging and visually captivating artworks can uplift moods, reduce stress, and improve the overall well-being of those working in or visiting healthcare facilities.

According to LG: Regularly creating fresh content may seem challenging, but LG SuperSign Cloud’s Art Service, ArtPlayer, grants users access to an eclectic array of refined art for their displays, elevating the atmosphere in diverse settings such as offices, hotel lobbies, and restaurants. These captivating motion graphics can promote a soothing and entrancing experience for customers in the waiting area.

Additionally, the ArtPlayer in the LG SuperSign Cloud is an annual subscription service that provides AI-curated images which can evoke moods like ‘calm’, ‘happy’, and ‘exciting’, transforming public displays into artistic showcases instead of mere advertisements.

 Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8^th largest hotel company in the U.S., announced the appointment of Michelle Steffens as Vice President of Operations, with responsibility for the managed portfolio of full-service hotels and oversight of the full-service regional operations team.

“We welcome Michelle to Sonesta as leader of the Full-Service Operations Team,” said Len Wolin, Sonesta’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations. “We believe her experience as an operational expert and hospitality leader will be vital to enhancing the guest experience and driving top and bottom-line performance at Sonesta.”

Ms. Steffens joins Sonesta with more than 17 years of hospitality industry experience.  Most recently, she was Senior Vice President of Operations at Aimbridge Hospitality.  Ms. Steffens’ previous roles included senior-level and regional leadership positions at Interstate, Island Hospitality, and White Lodging.